Job as a Phlebotomist
A Career In Phlebotomist
Phlebotomists work in various health institutions such as hospitals, health centers, clinics, laboratories, research centers, pharmaceutical companies and other areas connected with healthcare services. Having a job as a phlebotomist requires knowledge and skill in properly drawing blood from patients for laboratory testing. Venipunctures and skin punctures are terms to identify the procedure performed by healthcare personnel with job as a phlebotomist.
A healthcare individual with a job as a phlebotomist wears the prescribed medical scrub suit and gloves. Instructions are given to patients prior to extracting sample such as rolling up the sleeve for able patients and making a fist. They are equipped with the knowledge to handle specimens for technicians to obtain accurate laboratory results. Many of these healthcare individuals with job as a phlebotomist perform administrative tasks including receiving phone calls and client services. They work in close coordination with laboratory technicians, doctors and nurses. Having a job as a phlebotomist requires exposure to various patients, well and sick, young and old.
Phlebotomists are at a risk for blood-borne pathogens due to the nature of their job, being exposed to specimen spills and needles that cause injury. It is therefore important to wear gloves and be cautious at all times. In some cases, having a job as a phlebotomist requires traveling of specimen from one location to the laboratory to be processed with an automated machine analyzer.
In order to be effective in a job as a phlebotomist, proper knowledge of human anatomy must be obtained and good inter-personal skills. Proper management of specimen should be practiced by labeling with patient’s name, DOB, time of extraction and other required fields. The job as a phlebotomist requires knowledge in obtaining incident reports, proper storage and preservation of samples and correct distribution to required locations. Proper disposal of contaminated equipments is also important in performing a job as a phlebotomist.
